If you’ve been injured in a car accident, especially when the crash was no fault of your own, the days following can be overwhelming. Recovering from a car accident and going back and forth with insurance agencies can cause ample stress. This stress can compound health issues and can bring more turmoil into your post-accident life. This is why working with a trusted personal injury attorney is highly recommended. Finding a local lawyer you can trust will help set your mind at ease.
For many, the first question that comes to mind before even considering a car accident lawyer is, how much will that cost? It’s a valid concern and one that we’re here to address. Many personal injury lawyers, including our team at Sutliff & Stout, operate on a contingency fee basis.
What is a Contingency Fee?
A majority of personal injury lawyers in Cypress operate on what is known as a contingency fee. This is an agreement with your lawyer and legal counsel that their payment is contingent upon earning you a settlement or winning in court. In short, there is no fee unless you win!
On average, lawyers will take between 33% and 40% of the finalized settlement or award following a successful settlement or trial of your case. This practice is widespread among personal injury lawyers at large.
It’s common for your lawyer to receive the finalized check on your behalf. The firm will then deduct the agreed-upon percentage and any legal fees accrued as part of your case. This simplifies the process, so you do not have to calculate expenses and transfer the funds.
An Example of Contingency & Legal Fees
Your lawyer will process the agreed-upon fees and any outstanding charges when your case is successfully decided. Say, for example, your settlement is worth $30,000. If your fee agreement were 33% of the settlement, your lawyer would take $9,900 and any additional legal fees that arose during your trial/settlement negotiation. You would be issued a check for the remaining balance. In this case, $20,100.
Some people may see this percentage and think, if a lawyer takes ⅓ or more of my settlement, are they worth it?
Is a Personal Injury Lawyer Worth it?
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer can mean the difference between being offered a minimal settlement, not even enough to cover your damages, or getting the maximum value possible.
An experienced lawyer will manage your case correctly, ensuring you get the compensation you are owed. An expert car accident attorney will:
- Manage all aspects of your post-accident communications
- Negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf
- Consult with you on all available damages and compensation you may be eligible for
- Investigate all facets of your accidents, creating a rock-solid case on your behalf
- If need be, go to trial, prepared to fight for you
Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Cypress Today
If you’re in Cypress and find yourself in need of legal assistance following your car accident, give Sutliff & Stout a call 24/7. The legal counsel at Sutliff & Stout has a combined 50+ years of legal experience. We have a proven track record of success, recovering over a billion dollars in damages for our clients. Whether it be through settlement negotiations or trial, our lawyers are prepared to fight on your behalf. Do not let the insurance companies push you around a moment more.
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